Kawasaki VULCAN 1700 VAQUERO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
8,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11073441 · 2018-02-18 (February 18, 2018)
MOTORCYCLE HAS STALLED ON ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR AS I SLOW DOWN TO STOP OR AS I IDLE STATIONARY AND WAIT FOR GREEN LIGHT. MOTORCYCLE WILL THEN TURN OFF. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AS I USE IT AS A DAILY DRIVER IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY AND RIDE 2-UP 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK.. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY CONCERN AND PUT IT TO A REST. THANK YOU.11 ##
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11073441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882427 · 2016-07-04 (July 4, 2016)
I EXPERIENCED A COMMONLY-REPORTED (SEE INTERNET OWNER GROUPS SUCH AS "REDDIT", "WWW.VULCANFORUMS.COM", "THE VULCAN BAGGER ASSOCIATION", ETC.) CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE SWITCHES LOCATED UNDER THE VARIOUS CONTROLS OF THE MOTORCYCLE (CLUTCH, FRONT BRAKE, REAR BRAKE) ARE NOT SEALED AND IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CAN BECOME CORRODED AND FAIL. WHEN THESE SWITCHES FAIL, A NUMBER OF ISSUES ARE DESCRIBED BY OWNERS; SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL FAILING TO DISENGAGE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILING TO ENGAGE, AND BRAKE LIGHTS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970597 · 2017-04-04 (April 4, 2017)
STEERING HAS A UNSAFE WOBBLE IF YOU LET GO OF THE HANDLEBARS AT ALL THE FRONT TIRE STARTS TO WOBBLE REAL BAD CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MPH AND ABOVE. THE DEALER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS CAUSED BY CHEAP STEERING BEARINGS. I KNOW OF ABOUT 100 PEOPLE IN OUR CLUB WITH THIS PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10970597 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2009: 0; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1